Mystery Moves

The inner workings of Burma's repressive military government are a puzzle on par with that other hermit government, North Korea. It's a measure of the unfathomability that after last week's surprise leadership reshuffle, in which strongman General Than Shwe was replaced as Prime Minister by head of military intelligence General Khin Nyunt, Burma-watchers were convinced that a major change had taken place. What they couldn't tell was whether it was for better or worse.

Five days later, the new Prime Minister gave an encouraging clue by delivering a speech with a reformist message. He announced a seven point...